Statements

Below is a notice that I just sent to the Skidmore community about today's events. First and foremost, we are all relieved that no member of our community has been harmed and the suspect is now in custody. I am proud of the way our Campus Safety as well as the New York State Police, Saratoga Springs Police, and other law enforcement agencies responded to the situation. It is clear that we have a strong safety net in place to keep your sons and daughters and our entire community safe.

Over the past several months, the issue of sexual misconduct on college campuses has attracted considerable media attention both locally and nationally. Skidmore does not tolerate sexual and gender-based misconduct, and I am writing to update you on some recent steps we have taken to address this issue and to foster a campus climate of respect, care, and safety.

I trust that we all remain aware of the unfortunate events that occurred several months ago at several prominent universities - events that involved significant breaches of both law and institutional codes of ethical conduct.

Our hearts go out to the parents and families of those who have been lost in last Friday's tragic events at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, and to the firefighters, police, clergy, and so many others who have been seeking both to bring comfort and to make sense of this seemingly senseless event.

This past week we have received two deeply disturbing reports of bias incidents, both of which are summarized on the web site of the Bias Response Group.

I write to provide an update on the continuing investigation into the cause of the death of Boston College sophomore Alexander Grant.

Most of you are aware of the tragic events unfolding in Japan in the wake of the powerful earthquake and tsunami that struck on Friday. The loss of life, the widespread devastation, and the growing nuclear emergency are truly overwhelming.

I write to convey the very sad news that emergency personnel yesterday recovered the body of Alexander Grant, a sophomore at Boston College, who was visiting friends at Skidmore this past weekend.

I wrote to you on December 22nd regarding an incident that took place in downtown Saratoga Springs at the end of last semester and that resulted in serious charges brought against four of our students.

As many of you know from reports in the media, four Skidmore students were arrested early in the morning on Saturday, December 18, following an altercation off campus at a restaurant in downtown Saratoga Springs.